Resignations rattle Erdogan's party
A series of resignations have rattled the Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), following the resignation of Ali Babacan, the former Turkish minister of economy, from the party.
The most recent
incident included the resignation of 89 members from the branch of the party in
Gaziantep, a remote Turkish city
near the border with Syria.
The resignations took place soon after the AKP lost the
municipal elections in Gaziantep, according to Turkish media.
It said these members will most likely join a new party
that will be founded by Babacan in the coming few days.
Former Turkish president Abdullah Gul, meanwhile, works
to rescue the branch of the party in the city from collapsing.
He holds a series of meetings with party members to
induce them from leaving the party, the Turkish media said.
Babacan had previously lashed out at the AKP and
unveiled his plan to found a new party.
